The Panic Room Gravesend: CSI – Grounded

This is a purely web-based, straightforward linear game, set around the premise of solving a murder mystery on a plane. The puzzles are very much on the easy end of the spectrum, and the visual presentation is functional but far from outstanding. When compared to the experience of the best escape room games, tabletop, or videogames, this game wouldn't normally even get noticed....

.....BUT, these are strange times we're living in. At the time of writing this review, much of the world is still in Coronavirus lockdown, confined to our own homes, and only able to socialise with our friends and family "virtually", over Zoom and other videochat systems. As such, what's needed is something comforting - an accessible distraction to provide an evening's entertainment - and for that, this game is ideal. It doesn't have complex technical requirements (no printing, no QR codes, no advanced web technologies - it will work fine on any old phone/tablet/PC), it doesn't tax the brain much, so is ideal for playing with family or friends who might not be so familiar with Escape Room puzzles, the linearity keeps everyone on the team focussed on the relevant puzzles, and it doesn't take too long (around 1hr), so it's possible to maintain engagement throughout.

It's the escape room equivalent of watching "Murder, she wrote" - an un-taxing murder mystery you can solve in your slippers with a cup of tea with friends.